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Teams: The Engine That Drives a PLC at Work® Workshop
Naperville, Illinois | October 6–7, 2025
It’s important to remember that the goal isn’t just to become a professional learning community (PLC); the goal is to improve the professional practice of every adult and every team in your school and, by doing so, to improve student learning—kid by kid, skill by skill. Janel Keating leads the work of high-performing PLC at Work® teams. This two-day workshop will highlight what leaders and teams do to improve their professional practice in an effort to help more students learn at higher levels.
Using videos of elementary and secondary teams doing the work, the presenter will share practical tools coupled with specific leadership practices that will positively impact both student and adult learning. He will provide critical next steps for participants to take back to their schools and districts to effectively do the right work at the right time in the right way for the right reasons. You will be motivated and inspired to ask, “Why not us? Why not now?”
Preferred audience: School leadership teams, including principals, teachers, coaches, curriculum and assessment coordinators, and district administrators
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the importance of establishing the “why” before the “what” and “how.”
- Understand how to take collective responsibility for student learning, rather than working in isolation.
- Identify structures that organize and guide the work of a team, including time, team structure (including singletons), norms, accountability protocols, SMART goals, and planning tools.
- Understand the work and the team products layered under the four critical questions of PLC at Work.
- Discover how to implement a guaranteed and viable curriculum, unit by unit.
- Explore ways to monitor student learning through an ongoing assessment process that includes frequent, team-developed common formative assessments.
- Engage in analyzing common formative assessment data and student work.
- Use the results of common assessments to:
- Improve individual practice
- Build the team's capacity to achieve its goals
- Intervene/enrich on behalf of the students
- Establish what to insist on and require, and what to be loose on (team autonomy).
VenueEmbassy Suites by Hilton Chicago/Naperville 1823 Abriter Court Naperville , Illinois |
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Schedule
Agenda and speakers are subject to change.
Monday, October 6th
| 7:00–8:00 a.m. |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00–11:30 a.m. |
Presentation |
| 11:30–1:00 p.m. |
Lunch (on your own) |
| 1:00–4:00 p.m. | Presentation |
Tuesday, October 7th
| 7:00–8:00 a.m. |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00–11:30 a.m. |
Presentation |
| 11:30–1:00 p.m. |
Lunch (on your own) |
| 1:00–4:00 p.m. | Presentation |
Accommodations
Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.
While discounted rooms in our hotel room block may be sold out, the primary hotel may still have rooms available at their standard rates. Please inquire directly with the hotel.
Hotels
Primary Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago/Naperville
1823 Abriter Court
Naperville, Illinois 60563
630.799.5900
Discounted Rate: (single or double) $175/per night
Deadline: September 5, 2025, or until group rate is sold out
Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.
Parking information: Complimentary
In order to receive the discounted hotel room rate, please mention Solution Tree. After the deadline listed below, rates will be determined by the hotel.
VenueEmbassy Suites by Hilton Chicago/Naperville 1823 Abriter Court Naperville , Illinois |
Event Reviews
“The structuring of PLCs, unit plans, common assessments, SMART goals . . . the list goes on! It was a coming together of all the little pieces that we as teachers already do and making it a focus of intention with our team. Also, having the team incorporate administration so there's consistency and clarity across the board. The principals know what we are doing and are able to speak to it with any parents that may have questions or concerns.”
“Gaining a clearer picture of what does it look like to implement PLCs in our school. Gaining insight on how we can make it work in a school with only one class per grade level. A big takeaway for me was that the most important work in the PLC is done with 'this week's' data rather than benchmark assessment data. Constantly asking the four questions and focusing on the power standards the team has identified.”
“Thank you for a great workshop experience—I left feeling inspired and ready to begin tackling the work ahead!”
More details
Additional Information
Product code: WSG323
Five Reasons to Attend a Solution Tree Event (PDF)
A Letter to Your Boss (DOC)
You will receive a certificate of participation 6 weeks after the event concludes. Please check with your state department of education for CEU availability.
Included with your registration
Kid by Kid, Skill by Skill
This book explores PLCs from a teacher's perspective, focusing on best instructional practices, collaborative team actions, and lasting commitment to success.
Event Journal
We’re enhancing your event experience. In addition to providing presentations in digital format, Solution Tree is publishing retail-quality, perfect-bound notebooks expertly designed to support your learning. Any printed handouts or worksheets integrated into your sessions will continue to be provided.
